Still in the hunt. Despite the 49ers’ 3-6 record, they are just two games out of first place in the weak NFC West. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is one of a half-dozen 6-3 teams in the crowded NFC playoff picture. With games against Baltimore and Atlanta looming, the Bucs will view this as a game they should win.

Impulse to improvise. It will be interesting to see how the 49ers deal with QB Troy Smith’s tendency to improvise. Smith has made big plays when ad-libbing, but it runs counter to what coach Mike Singletary prefers.

No shortage of options. Buccaneers RB Earnest Graham (hamstring) is set to return to the lineup, but his team might not need him. They seem to have found a nice combination with LeGarrette Blount handling the load on first and second downs and Cadillac Williams coming in on third downs.

Three key 49ers

RT Anthony Davis. The 49ers inserted Davis into the starting lineup in early August with the belief that the experience the rookie gained early in the season would pay off in the second half. However, he was overwhelmed by Rams DE Chris Long on Sunday while committing the same mistakes he has all season. The 49ers should consider giving Davis more help and not leaving him on an island.

S Taylor Mays. The rookie has started every game since Week 4. In the most recent contest, he platooned with Reggie Smith, and Smith ended up playing more snaps. The 49ers have seemed to have cooled on Mays, who has struggled to make plays on deep passes and was being picked on by opponents.

TE Delanie Walker. He has become a favorite target for Smith, and the two struck up a good relationship during the 49ers’ practice week in England. Walker had five catches for 85 yards against the Broncos and four for 80 against the Rams.

Three key Buccaneers

RB LeGarrette Blount. He was briefly a 49er, agreeing to a free-agent contract with the team when the draft ended. However, he went elsewhere when he realized the team would have a crowded backfield. Blount has been just the kind of bulldozing back the Buccaneers have needed with Graham out of the lineup.

CB Aqib Talib. Tampa Bay has tolerated some misbehavior from Talib because of his talents in coverage. Against the Panthers, he launched himself into Jimmy Clausen’s helmet, giving the quarterback a concussion, but also shut down WR Steve Smith.

WR Micheal Spurlock. He impressed the 49ers last summer, but they cut him when they couldn’t find a role for him. In hindsight, they should have kept him as a returner, an area in which the 49ers continue to struggle. Spurlock has returned a kickoff for a touchdown this year and is averaging more than 25 yards a return.

Bottom line

For the second straight week, the 49ers will face a promising young quarterback — this week it’s Josh Freeman — who has been able to minimize his mistakes. The 49ers, meanwhile, have been rife with them. Although they avoided turnovers against the Rams, three touchdowns were nullified by penalties. If the 49ers can eliminate those errors, they should continue to claw back into the division race. Prediction: 49ers 25, Buccaneers 20.